Each time I go downstairs to our playroom I see it, the cradle my father made for me when my first child was born 18 years ago. Soon after my husband and I announced we were expecting a baby, my dad started planning to build it for his first grandchild. Joe and I were thrilled. But our happiness was short lived when at 10 weeks we saw our baby, but no heartbeat. I was … [Read more...]
A Lesson in Love: The Little Girl Who Taught Me to Spell the Word Love
In my time on this planet, I have had the good fortune to meet some amazing people and make a lot of good friends. Some have lasted beyond time and circumstance, while others have ended naturally after school, or a move or job change. A few ended painfully. But there is one friend whose effect on me was so profound that I still think of her often. Carol and I were in … [Read more...]
Sweet 15: Dealing With a Teenage Special Needs Child
“I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.” I heard my soon to be 15-year-old daughter sing my praises from the back seat of our mini-van as I pulled into our driveway the other day. “Well, you know Liz, I’m not that fond of you right now either.” The car was now safely parked, and I heard the swish of her door open. “I hate you, and that’s all there is to it.” My dear … [Read more...]
It Took Becoming a Mom for Me to Find My Voice as a Woman
Words have always come easy to me. My parents told me I was speaking full sentences by the time I was 18 months old. At two, I corrected my grandmother’s pronunciation of Santa Claus. Words came easy. My voice was another matter. It wasn’t until I became a mother that I found it. I was a shy, insecure young woman. The dyslexia that made school and life so hard made me an … [Read more...]
This Year I’m Taking the Mom Exemption From a New Year’s Resolution
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Season’s Greetings! New Year’s Eve is less than a week away, and it’s only fitting to re-run my piece about my take on moms and New Year’s resolutions. The Dishwasher and I wish you a wonderful holiday surrounded by friends and family. Thank you for your support of me and the crazed appliance. The packages have been opened, and the kids … [Read more...]
